Waters, in his first game since hurting his elbow in the second round clash with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, played with his trademark vigour and poise for Claremont in an exciting win against South Fremantle.
He was involved in a couple of heavy collisions but also rebounded strongly off half-back in a 16-possession effort which was underpinned by nine tackles.
Also in that game, Gaff was in outstanding touch for South Fremantle. He ran hard and long to rack up 29 possessions and five tackles in a terrific display, opposed to Eagles teammate Lewis Stevenson.
Away from the focus of senior football, another encouraging performance came from Brown, who played with the Peel reserves because his regular WAFL club, East Fremantle, had a bye.
Brown, in his second game back after a broken thumb, did not need to do much more than simply get through the contest for the hit-out to be a success, but he did much more than the bare minimum.
He had 21 possessions, took five marks and spent a considerable amount of time running through the midfield, which can help him regain badly-needed match fitness.
The Claremont-South clash provided plenty of upside for West Coast with Callum Wilson racking up 18 possessions and four goals for the Bulldogs while Gerrick Weedon was terrific for Claremont. He had 21 disposals and took nine marks in an eye-catching display.
Defensively Brett Jones played with his signature dash and skill, balancing neatly the capacity to be an offensive option from the back half while also plying his defensive traits.
In the reserves game, Lewis Broome kicked 2.4 from 16 disposals and five tackles, while key forward Anton Hamp kicked 2.0 from similar opportunities.
Half-forward Andrew Strijk did his chances of a recall no harm with a 21-possession and three-goal haul for West Perth. Should an opening exist up forward, then Strijk is in pole position to press his claims.
Brad Ebert made a claim to be in the starting 21 when he had similar numbers for Peel, although he did not hit the scoreboard. He worked hard as a midfielder and as a high half-forward and was a strong contributor in a narrow Peel defeat.
Defender Blayne Wilson produced one of the best efforts of his short career, working hard in the back half, but still accumulating 20 touches and taking four marks.
Forward-ruckman Scott Lycett also was business-like for Peel and rounded out his game with 16 hit-outs, most of which created an immediate advantage for his team.
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls started a little slowly for East Perth, but worked home strongly with 22 possessions and three marks.
